Pizza is an interesting thing. As long as it meets a few basic criteria (crust, sauce, cheese, etc.) whatever the toppings, it’s still pizza. Hearing loss is similar. As long as you are having a hard time hearing sound, whether it’s caused by a blockage, age, loud noise, or anything else, it’s still hearing loss.
Restricting the damage is usually the first step to take when you begin to notice hearing loss. This is only one basic step you can take to safeguard your hearing from further harm.
Tip 1: Keep your ears clean
Remember when your parents used to always ask “did you wash behind your ears”? In terms of hearing health, we’re not worried about the areas behind your ears, but instead your inner ears.
Keeping your ears free of wax accumulation can help your hearing in numerous different ways:
- Untidy ears increase your chances of developing an ear infection, which causes swelling that, when significant enough, impedes your ability to hear. When your ear infection clears, your normal hearing will typically return.
- Sound waves will have a more difficult time reaching your inner ear if you have significant accumulation. Because of this, your ability to hear becomes diminished.
- Earwax accumulation also disrupts the functioning of your hearing aid if you use one. If this happens you might think that your hearing is getting even worse.
- After a while, neglected hearing loss affects your brain and your ability to interpret sounds.
You should never try to use a cotton swab to dig out earwax. In most cases, a cotton swab will make things even worse or cause additional damage. You can get earwax removal drops over-the-counter at your local pharmacy which work better and are safer than swabs.
Tip 2: Loud noise that could result in hearing loss should be avoided
This one should be fairly obvious. The issue is that most people are hard-pressed to define what a “loud noise” really is. There are lots of hazards to your hearing in everyday life and that includes things as common as driving on a loud freeway every day over long periods. Your ears can also be compromised by things like your lawn mower engine. And when you’re out celebrating the 4th of July, be cautious to safeguard your ears!
Here are a few practical ways to avoid noise damage:
- When decibel levels get too high, you can use an app on your phone to alert you.
- Avoid turning the volume up on your headphones when you’re streaming videos or listening to music. When you’re listening at dangerous volumes, most phones have built-in alerts.
- When you can’t avoid being in a loud setting, wear hearing protection. Do you work on a loud factory floor? Do you really want to go to that rock concert? That’s cool. Just wear the correct hearing protection. You can get enough protection from modern earplugs and earmuffs.
So if you go to a loud event and your hearing feels fine after, that doesn’t mean it is, because hearing loss is often a slow progression. Only a hearing specialist can give your ears a clean bill of health.
Tip 3: If you have any hearing loss, have it treated
Generally speaking, hearing loss is accumulative. So you’ll be in a better position to avoid further damage if you catch it early. That’s why treatment is very essential when it comes to controlling hearing loss. Effective treatments (on which you follow through) will leave your hearing in the best possible condition.
Here’s how treatments work:
- Some, but not all damage can be prevented by hearing aids. For example, hearing aids will stop you from cranking your television volume up so loud it harms your ears. Hearing can prevent further deterioration of your hearing by preventing this type of damage.
- Brain strain, social isolation, and other hearing loss-related health issues can be prevented by hearing aids.
- We will help you avoid further damage by providing you with customized advice and guidelines.
Minimize hearing loss – it will benefit you in the long run
Treatment is one of the principal ways to prevent hearing loss despite the fact that there’s no cure. The correct treatment will help you preserve your current level of hearing and prevent it from becoming worse.
In the years to come you will be giving yourself the best chance for healthy hearing if you get hearing loss treatment from us, use hearing protection, and practice quality hygiene!